- Minister for Training and Skills
Victoria's training organisations - who have received significant funding under the Andrews Labor Government - have won top recognition at the Australian Training Awards, with Victoria taking the top gong in two categories.
Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney congratulated all Victorian finalists and winners who attended the peak national awards, which recognise innovation and excellence in Australia's vocational education and training sector.
Sunraysia Institute of TAFE won the Large Training Provider of the Year Award, marking the fourth year running that a Victorian training provider has won this significant award.
As the Mallee region experiences strong population and economic growth, SuniTAFE responds to regional needs and cultivates success with above-average completion rates of 95 per cent, accompanied by strong job outcomes.
Holmesglen Institute and Royal Children's Hospital took out the Industry Collaboration Award for their partnership, following Holmesglen Institute's three year streak of state training award wins.
The two organisations create enriching pathways to employment for young people with disability, in which students enthusiastically perform roles that fulfil a business need and contribute to the hospital's daily operations.
Point Cook Senior Secondary College student Heidi Liesel Rasmussen took the runner up prize for the Australian School-Based Apprentice of the Year Award. Heidi's lifelong love of animals led her to enrol in a Certificate III in Companion Animal Services while undertaking Year 11.
Victorian finalists for the Australian Training Awards were drawn from the winners of eligible categories at this year's Victorian Training Awards, which were awarded at a gala dinner in September.
Individual category winners at the Australian Training Awards receive $5,000, while each runner-up will receive $2,500. Organisation category winners receive $5,000.
For a full list of Victorian finalists and winners, visit: https://www.education.vic.gov.au
Since 2015, the Labor Government has invested more than $1.3 billion to rebuild our TAFE system and ensure students can get the skills they need for the jobs they want.
As noted by Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney:
"I congratulate Victoria's outstanding apprentices, trainees, students, employers, teachers and training providers that were finalists at the Australian Training Awards."
"Victoria's success at the Australian Training Awards show that we're leading the way nationally in delivering a high-quality training and TAFE system."
